Sen. Obama's Stock Quietly Rises

[Judi Lynn]

November 20, 2005
Sen. Obama's Stock Quietly Rises
The Illinois Democrat is expected to raise about $1.2 million by year's end. He's also making powerful friends such as Warren Buffett.

By Jeff Zeleny, Chicago Tribune

OMAHA — Warren Buffett sits on the edge of a soft brown sofa, closely watching as Sen. Barack Obama navigates the well-appointed living room. He moves his square glasses closer to his face, unfolds his arms and springs to his feet when the time comes to welcome his guest to Nebraska.

"There he is," Buffett says with a wide grin, pulling Obama toward him with a hearty handshake. "You're the hottest ticket in town today."
(snip)

"I've got a conviction about him that I don't get very often," Warren Buffett explained later in an interview. "He has as much potential as anyone I've seen to have an important impact over his lifetime on the course that America takes.

"If he can do an ounce better with me," Buffett added, "fine."
(snip/...)

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-obama20nov20,1,2503104.story?coll=la-headlines-politics

[Hekate]

1. Well, well, well. He is a smart young man... I hope his early promise...

bears fruit.

What convention-watchers across the nation saw last year looked very promising for Democrats and progressives: a young senator with a very interesting pedigree and resume who looked like he could go the distance to the presidency.

Now it appears he also has the political acumen for fundraising among the high-rollers, which is equally important, because people like Warren Buffett have as much influence as money.

Barak Obama's career will be really interesting to watch, especially if he manages to keep a level head and intact ethics.

I've got my fingers crossed -- for all of us.

Hekate

[applegrove]

2. Yes I saw him on TDS. He was really honest and open and funny &

obviously as politically savy as any of the old dogs in the Senate. At least when he was doing the interview. He was asked a question and he didn't puff up his record or role ... what was it...it was something... I cannot remember. But he answered honestly. And I was left going - what was that?

[ToeBot]

3. Well, judging from the article he certainly has the makings of a fine...

politician.

[hwmnbn]

4. To appreciate Obama you have to realize....

He carried downstate Illinois. His district is in the south side of Chicago, which is predominantly black and poor.

To be able to reach the collar counties outside the suburbs and the redneck countrified counties downstate is or WAS unimaginable.

He won not with slick TV ads but by showing up and personally appearing there to speak directly to those folks. I think that is his biggest asset.

He still schedules "town-hall" type events all over Illinois. He takes all questions from all constituents and has the intelligence and charm to express his progressive ideas in simple terms.

Brains, charisma, and an ability to raise money along with grass roots support is what he's got going for him. And he is what we got going for us.

Finally, he doesn't NEED this gig. He is doing a public service. If his integrity ever comes into question, I will be the most surprised and disillusioned. Something just seems right about him.

[mucifer]

5. the issues he has been working on are very impressive

no he's not in front of the cameras screaming about the Iraq war. He leaves that for other people and discusses it more locally here in Chicago. He is working on securing loose nukes in Eastern Europe and AIDS in Africa, things that won't be put on the front page, but are very important. I'm very proud he's my senator!
'